Murray eases past Seppi into quarters

By Nigel Graber for MurraysWorld.com on March 26, 2013, 08:54 PM

A relaxed-looking Andy Murray today eased past Andreas Seppi 6-2 6-4 in the fourth round of the Sony Open Masters in Miami.

Some match-ups in tennis are pure torture and, when Seppi sees the Scot across the net, he must feel like Dante, who had to fight his way through the nine concentric circles of Hell just to get his name on the guest list for Purgatory.

The Italian, who looked like the sky had fallen on his head throughout, got off to a shocking start by trying to out-counterpunch the arch-counterpuncher. Exerting his greater length and variety on proceedings, Murray broke in the very first game.

Seppi, who took over an hour to hit his first winner, must have dreaded the start of each rally, knowing he would have to run back home to Bolzano and back in pursuit of Murray’s hefty groundshots. With the Scot changing pace, direction and spin at will, he broke again for 5-2 and duly served out the opening set.

The British number one, who looked as lean and dangerous as a hungry timberwolf, continued to impose his lacerating game on the 16th seed. As Murray’s purposeful groundshots strafed the net, Seppi at last beefed up his own backcourt game and maintained parity until 4-4.

With the match finally looking competitive, Seppi reverted to Chicken Licken mode and dumped two routine groundshots into the net to gift Murray the chance to serve for victory. The Scot survived a break point to prevail and book a quarter-final spot against either Jo-Wilfred Tsonga or Marin Cilic.

Typical Murray match... but with less drama which is great. Keep it up Andy!

March 26, 2013, 09:30 PMBy backhandslice

"Chicken Licken mode" - I like that.

Nice to see Andy playing more confidently here. Although the 2nd set provided a few tense moments when Andy lost a bit of focus (he gets distracted far too easily) whilst Seppi upped his level, the outcome was never in doubt.

A relaxed-looking Andy Murray today eased past Andreas Seppi 6-2 6-4 in the fourth round of the Sony Open Masters in Miami.

Some match-ups in tennis are pure torture and, when Seppi sees the Scot across the net, he must feel like Dante, who had to fight his way through the nine concentric circles of Hell just to get his name on the guest list for Purgatory.

The Italian, who looked like the sky had fallen on his head throughout, got off to a shocking start by trying to out-counterpunch the arch-counterpuncher. Exerting his greater length and variety on proceedings, Murray broke in the very first game.

Seppi, who took over an hour to hit his first winner, must have dreaded the start of each rally, knowing he would have to run back home to Bolzano and back in pursuit of Murray’s hefty groundshots. With the Scot changing pace, direction and spin at will, he broke again for 5-2 and duly served out the opening set.

The British number one, who looked as lean and dangerous as a hungry timberwolf, continued to impose his lacerating game on the 16th seed. As Murray’s purposeful groundshots strafed the net, Seppi at last beefed up his own backcourt game and maintained parity until 4-4.

With the match finally looking competitive, Seppi reverted to Chicken Licken mode and dumped two routine groundshots into the net to gift Murray the chance to serve for victory. The Scot survived a break point to prevail and book a quarter-final spot against either Jo-Wilfred Tsonga or Marin Cilic.

Great report as always Nigel, thanks - as has been said the outcome was never really in doubt but those last minute breakpoints were a bit unnerving!

March 26, 2013, 10:12 PMBy scotjules

A great entertaining report - thanks !

It was live stats only again tonight - and a lot less nerve wracking, apart from a couple of mini bum squeakers in set 2. Job done ! Some good stats too - 90% won on 1st serve and 50% on 2nd. Winning numbers.

Ps I think it's time Scotland declared Tennis and Curling as our national sports - well done to Eve Muirhead's rink - world champs ! :-)

March 26, 2013, 10:13 PMBy sidtypical

Yeah cause we aren't getting any medals in the bloody footie eh

March 26, 2013, 10:24 PMBy angiebabez

Andy had some wicked shots today. Looks like he's playing himself into form.

Thanks for the report Nigel.

March 26, 2013, 10:33 PMBy scotnadian

Glad to see you moved threads Linda.

March 26, 2013, 10:34 PMBy Connor

Awesome

March 26, 2013, 10:36 PMBy ProdigyEng

Enjoyed the report- in some ways more entertaining than the match, but I'll take that

March 26, 2013, 11:02 PMBy Hazybear

Great report Nigel as always.

March 26, 2013, 11:12 PMBy Iris

Andy's next match will be on Thursday against Marin Cilic who defeated Tsonga 7-5, 7-6.

March 26, 2013, 11:59 PMBy Aileen

The definition of concise.

March 27, 2013, 01:11 AMBy TheMadHatter

"Seppi, who took over an hour to hit his first winner, must have dreaded the start of each rally, knowing he would have to run back home to Bolzano and back in pursuit of Murray’s hefty groundshots." Funny stuff, Nigel. Nice to be on the winning side.

Well done, Andy! Onwards & Upwards!

March 27, 2013, 03:30 AMBy adb..OH

A nice read- thanks for the report. Only I did not find Andy that relaxed. He was visibly angry with his shots now and then, had this little discussion with the umpire, bounced his racket. Not that I mind it. I have always said I prefer some body language to poker faces.